UNEP/LAC-IGWG.XVI/Inf.3/Rev.2
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Information forthe Participants
/Information on Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
/ 1. Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, is located in the south central part of the country. It is the chief urban, economic, cultural, political and social center of the Dominican Republic.
2. Santo Domingo de Guzmán, usually referred to as only Santo Domingo, was the first city established by Europeans in the Americas. It was founded by Bartholomew Columbus in 1496 and later transferred to the place where it now stands by Nicolás de Ovando in 1502. It is a flourishing, cosmopolitan city with a profound historic past associated with the conquest of the American continent.
3. Waves and breezes from the Caribbean Sea contribute to the city’s pleasant and invigorating climate excellent for outdoor activities.
4. The Colonial District of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO, includes the oldest buildings constructed by Spaniards in the New World.
Population: Approximately three million inhabitants.
Official language: Spanish.
Local currency: Dominican peso.
2. Dominican Republic entry requirements
Passport
5. On entry to the Dominican Republic, the Ministers and special invitees should present a current passport and a valid return ticket; maximum stay in the country is 90 days.
Visa
6. Participants at the Sixteenth Meeting of the Forum of Ministers who need visas for entry to the Dominican Republic should approach the Dominican Republic's consular offices in their country. The Dominican Republic's embassies and consulates have been notified of the meeting of the Forum of Ministers. Participants in countries that do not have a Dominican embassy or consulate will receive an invitation and will be included on a list maintained at immigration control; the immigration officials will have instructions to facilitate their entry.
Entry forms
7. Before airport-border entry to the country, visitors are requested to complete embarkation and disembarkation forms. These should be completed before approaching the immigration point, where passports also should be shown.
3. Airports
8. The “José Francisco Peña Gómez” International Airport of the Americas is located some 22 km east of Santo Domingo. Taxis that provide service to any part of the city are available at the airport exit. The airport has bookstores, restaurants, event facilities, craft stores, waiting rooms and money exchange services. Taxis are recommended for transportation within the city. Taxi service is available at the hotel entrance. Away from the hotel, they can be called at the following numbers: (809) 530-4800 and 537-0000. Asking what the fare will be beforehand is recommended, since the taxis do not have meters. /4. Transfer to the venue of the Sixteenth Forum
9. Duly-identified personnel will be waiting at the international airports (Santo Domingo, La Romana or Punta Cana), to welcome the delegates and observers on arrival.
10. Participants at the Forum are advised to notify the event's national organizers of the date and time of their arrival, otherwise their reception, which includes airport-hotel-airport transfer free of charge, cannot be guaranteed.
11. The company Vacaciones Barceló will provide transportation in comfortable buses from the airport. Departure schedules will be coordinated with the itineraries, and buses to the hotels will leave at fairly frequent intervals. There will also be a counter at the airport where personnel with identification will receive and provide participants with information and guidance. The telephone number for transportation emergencies is 809.796.1237.
5. Accommodation
/ 12. The official venue of the Sixteenth Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean is the Hotel El Embajador. The hotel is located at:Avenida Sarasota 65, Ensanche Bella Vista
Santo Domingo – Dominican Republic
Phone: (809) 221 21 31
Fax: (809) 532 53 06
E-mail:
13. The hotel's rates (taxes included) are as follows:
Type of room / Quantity / Single / DoubleRoyal Club / 7 rooms / US$180.00 / US$180.00
Suite Real / 1 suite / US$ 545.00 / US$ 545.00
Suite Canciller / 2 suites / US$300.00 / US$300.00
Suite Embajador - / 2 suites / US$200.00 / US$200.00
Standard- / 85 rooms / US$90.00 / US$105.00
Club El Embajador- / 65 rooms / US$120.00 / US$135.00
· The rates indicated are per room per night.
· These rates are subject to a 26% legal tax.
· Breakfast included.
Contact for reservations:Hotel El Embajador
Contact: Sra. Zarina Montalvo,
Business Director.
Tel.: (809) 221-2131
Cel.: (809) 851-9414 / Option for lodging:
Hotel Delta
Single room: US$75.00
Includes breakfast and Internet connextion.
Contact: Sr. Félix Rosa
Marketing and Sales Manager
Tel.: (809) 535-0800, ext. 2754
E-mail:
14. UNEP/ROLAC, in its capacity as Secretariat of the Forum, will be responsible for coordinating the hotel reservations and airline tickets of all the delegates for whom it provides funding. These delegates will be staying at the Hotel El Embajador. For reasons of organization, logistics and the smooth running of the Forum, it is recommended that participants stay at the hotel officially designated as the meeting's venue.
15. Delegates not funded by UNEP should make their own hotel reservations, mentioning that they are attending the Sixteenth Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean in order to obtain the preferential rates offered by the Hotel El Embajador for attendees at this event.
6. Accreditation
16. In all cases, accreditation of official delegations and invitees to the Sixteenth Meeting of the Forum must be sent by fax or E-mail to the UNEP/ROLAC Secretariat, with a copy to the event's national organization, clearly stating the names and posts of the delegates and the meeting they are to attend.
7. Meetings registration arrangements and timetable
17. The Preparatory Meeting of High-Level Experts of the Sixteenth Meeting of the Forum of Ministers will take place from Sunday, 27 January, to Tuesday, 29 January, 2008. The Ministerial Segment, in turn, will be held from Wednesday, 30 January, to Friday, 1 February, 2008.
18. The Ministerial Segment will be inaugurated by the President of the Dominican Republic, Dr. Leonel Fernández Reyna, on Wednesday, 30 January 2008, at 7:00 p.m. in the Hotel Jaragua. Participants are asked to wear formal attire (suit, tie and appropriate shoes).
19. Participant registration for the Preparatory Meeting of High-Level Experts will take place on Sunday, 27 January, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
20. Participant registration for the Ministerial Segment will commence at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 30 January. The Order of the Day will be distributed each day.
8. Documents
21. The documents for the Sixteenth Meeting have already been prepared by UNEP/ROLAC. The Latin American and Caribbean countries have been notified of the documents needed to support the deliberations of the Sixteenth Meeting of the Forum of Ministers. It is planned to provide only a limited number of copies of the documents for the delegates, and participants are advised to bring with them the working documents available at the Forum venue. The idea is to save paper and then minimize the environmental impact associated with document printing and reproduction.
22. The working, informative and reference documents of the Sixteenth Meeting of the Forum of Ministers are accessible via the following links:
Spanish: / http://www.pnuma.org/forodeministros/16-repdominicana/html/documentos.htmEnglish: / http://www.pnuma.org/forumofministers/16-dominicanrep/html/documents.htm
9. Further information
A. Weather
23. The Dominican Republic enjoys a warm, tropical climate all year round. Depending on the location, an average day is very sunny or alternates sunshine and clouds. Average annual temperatures lie in the range 25°-30°C. The cooler season is from November to April; the hotter from May to October.
B. Time zone: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
24. The Dominican Republic adopts Eastern Caribbean Time (GMT-04:00). This applies all year round (i.e. the country does not adopt daylight-saving time).
C. Currency
/ 25. The official currency is the Dominican peso. Notes are issued in denominations of 10 pesos (green), 20 pesos (brown), 50 pesos (purple), 100 pesos (orange), 500 pesos (turquoise blue), 1,000 pesos (light red) and 2,000 pesos (blue); all are of the same size. The coins currently in circulation are of 5, 10, 25 and 100 pesos and vary in shape and colour. Credit cards are accepted in most establishments.26. The official currency's exchange rate against the US dollar is $1=32 Dominican pesos. Exchange can be effected at the banks and bureaux de change. The rate of exchange fluctuates constantly.
D. Banks and bureaux de change
27. Financial transactions can be carried out efficiently in Santo Domingo at various banks and other firms. These are open for business Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
28. Cash machines are an excellent option, since they are available round the clock. Most allow you to select the English language, while withdrawals are in the local currency (Dominican pesos). The operations normally supported are checking one's balance, withdrawals and cash advances. Do not give or tell strangers your password. The machines are strategically sited on the main streets, in shopping malls and elsewhere. Cirrus, Visa, Mastercard and others support international debit and credit transactions. Participants are advised against changing dollars in the street.
E. Credit cards and travellers cheques
29. Credit cards: most Santo Domingo’s shops, restaurants and other establishments accept international credit cards, Mastercard and Visa being the most commonly used; some also accept American Express.
30. Travellers cheques: before purchasing these in your country, you should enquire whether the issuer has branches or representation in the Dominican Republic. American Express and Visa travellers cheques account for the bulk of those used here. They can be used in payment at the more exclusive hotels; their acceptance by the general retail trade is limited.
F. Embassies and accredited consulates in the Dominican Republic
Ave. Máximo Gómez No.10
Phone: (809) 682-1074 and 682-2977 / CONSULATE OF BOLIVIA
Calle Luis F. Tomen No110
Phone: (809) 701-6176, 656-8573, 701-6196
EMBASSY OF BRASIL
Calle Eduardo Vicioso No.46-A
Phone: (809) 532-0868 and 532-0342 / EMBASSY OF COLOMBIA
Calle Fernando Escobar No.8 A
Ensanche Serrallos
Phone: (809) 562-1670
EMBASSY OF COSTA RICA
Calle Malaquías Gil No.11
Phone: (809) 683-7002 and 683-7209 / EMBASSY OF CUBA
Calle Francisco Prats Ramírez #808
Phone: (809) 537-2113 and 537-0139
EMBASSY OF CHILE
Av. Anacaona No.11, Mirador Sur
Phone: (809) 532-7800 and 530-8441 / EMBASSY OF ECUADOR
Calle Rafael Augusto Sánchez No.17
Apto 301 , Ens. Naco
Phone: (809) 563-8363
EMBASSY OF EL SALVADOR
Calle Haim López Pehna, No.28B
4to piso, Ens. Piantini
Phone: (809) 565-4311 / CONSULATE OF GUATEMALA
Calle Santiago No.359, Gazcue,
Phone: (809) 689-5327 and 689-5614
EMBASSY OF GUATEMALA
Calle Santiago No.359
Phone: (809) 689-5327 / EMBASSY OF HAITI
Calle Juan Sánchez Ramírez No.33
Zona Universitaria
Phone: (809) 686-8185
EMBASSY OF HONDURAS
Calle Arístides García Mella, Apt.1-B, Mirador Sur, Phone: (809) 482-7992 / EMBASSY OF JAMAICA
Ave. Enriquillo No.61, Los Cacicazgos
Phone: (809) 482-7770
EMBASSY OF MEXICO
Calle Arzobispo Meriño No. 265, Zona Colonial
Phone: (809) 687-6641 / EMBASSY OF NICARAGUA
Ave.México No.152 , La Esperilla
Phone: (809) 563-2311 and 563-2034
EMBASSY OF PANAMA
Calle Benito Monción No.225
Phone: (809) 476-7396 and 688-3789 / GENERAL CONSULATE OF PANAMA
Calle Cayetano Rodríguez No.1021, Gazcue
Phone: (809) 688-1043 y 685-3533
CONSULATE OF PARAGUAY
Calle Virgilio Díaz Ordóñez No.1, Ens. Julieta , Phone: (809) 412-501 / EMBASSY OF PERU
Calle Maireni 31, Los Cacicazgos
Phone: (809) 482-3300 and 482-3344
EMBASSY OF VENEZUELA
Ave. Anacaona No. 7
Phone: (809) 537-8684
10. About the Dominican Republic
A. Government
31. The Dominican Republic has a representative democracy with three branches: executive (headed by the President); legislative, composed of the chambers of deputies and senators; and judicial. The President of the Republic is elected by popular vote for a four-year term. The current president is Dr. Leonel Fernández Reyna.
B. Healthcare
32. Medical attention for visitors to the resort is available at two clinics, one inside the hotel and staffed around the clock, and another some 10 minutes away from the hotel. In the event of an emergency or other need for medical attention, the hotel staff is in touch with both clinics. Santo Domingo has water supply, drainage, electricity, telephone service with national and international direct dialing, Internet access and other services.
C. Voltage
33. Electricity supply is of 110 volts. The points are of the US type (two flat pins).
D. Water
34. Water is supplied from tanks and wells; it can be used for general purposes but is unsuitable for drinking or preparing beverages. Bottled water should be used in the latter cases. Given the intense heat of the Caribbean, at least 8 glasses of water should be drunk daily to avoid dehydration. Use of sun lotion or similar with a protection factor of 15 is advisable.
F. Telephone
35. Telephone service is available in all the hotels, resorts and other tourist establishments. Cell-phone service is also available. Phonecards (call prepayment cards) are on sale in the shops. The area codes for calls within the Dominican Republic are 809 and 829.
G. Clothing
36. Given the high temperatures, visitors to Santo Domingo are recommended to wear light clothing of cotton or linen. In restaurants and night clubs, short-sleeved shirts, casual trousers and shoes are suitable. Sandals, trainers and shorts can be worn in open-air locations and most of the resort establishments.
H. Tipping
37. It is usual to leave tips in restaurants, hotels and other service establishments. Restaurants normally include a separate 10% service charge on the bill and it is customary to leave a tip of up to a further 10%. Bellboys, waiters, porters (airport) etc. generally expect tips. It is not usual to tip taxi drivers.
11. Further information
38. For further details contact:
National Organizer of the EventMrs Patricia Ginebra, Event Organizer
Secretary of State for the Environment and Natural Resources
Phone: (809) 567-4300 extensions
284 and 283
E-mail:
Site: http://www.medioambiente.gov.do/cms/ / Secretariat of the Forum of Ministers
Ricardo Sánchez Sosa, Regional Director,
United Nations
Environment Programme
Regional Office for Latin America
and the Caribbean (UNEP/ROLAC)
Clayton, Ciudad del Saber, Edificio 103
Panama. Republic of Panama
Phone: (507) 305-3133 (direct)
and 305-3100 (switchboard)
Fax: (507) 305-3105
E-mail:
Website: www.pnuma.org
/ Dámaso Luna Corona
Secretariat Coordinator
UNEP/ROLAC
Clayton, Ciudad del Saber, Edificio 103
Panama. Republic of Panama
Tel.: (507) 305-3140 (direct)
and 305-3100 (switchboard)
Fax: (507) 305-3105
E-mail:
Website: www.pnuma.org
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